Will Ferrell has explained why he famously dressed up as a scruffy version of Buddy the Elf, complete with a cigarette in his mouth and beer in his hand, at the Los Angeles Kings' home game against the Philadelphia Flyers last month.
The actor went viral when video appeared of him outfitted as his character in Jon Favreau's 2003 Christmas comedy "Elf," but instead of the cheerful, polished character, Ferrell appeared disheveled.
After the Dec. 29 game, which L.A. won 5-4, he said it was "a tough holiday season" and he was "looking for a Kings win," according to Variety. Ferrell elaborated on his remarks during an appearance on an episode of Travis and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" podcast.
"Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole," Ferrell joked on the podcast. "He's having a pull from his beer, smoking a cig. That was just … I get these weird ideas every now and then."
The actor explained that he and his wife, Viveca Paulin, were season ticket holders for the Kings and had seats "right on the glass."
"I told my wife, 'Over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn't shave for a week, and I'm just sitting there with a candy cigarette, and I'm just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react,'" he said.
"The reaction was insane!" he added. "Like, what is he doing? Is he promoting something? But occasionally, I just like to do weird things like that just to stir it up."
"Elf" earned over $220 million worldwide during its theatrical run. Ferrell was sought after to reprise his role in a sequel, but in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed he turned down a $29 million offer.
"I would have had to promote the movie from an honest place, which would've been, like, 'Oh, no, it's not good. I just couldn't turn down that much money,'" Ferrell said. "And I thought, Can I actually say those words? I don't think I can, so I guess I can't do the movie."